Auditory experience, gene regulation and auditory memories in songbirds

ABSTRACT

Long-lasting auditory memories of the songs a songbird hears are essential for key aspects of its natural life, including song learning, and territorial and reproductive behaviors. Exposure of songbirds to the songs of other birds of the same species induces marked expression of genes encoding transcription regulators in brain regions that subserve auditory processing. A combination of neuroanatomical, electrophysiological and molecular approaches has been used to investigate the functional significance of this induction response. The emerging theme is that the genomic events triggered by song may represent a regulatory cascade that leads to long-term modification of the physiological properties of song-responsive neurons. It is postulated that such a cascade constitutes a possible basis for the establishment of long-term song auditory memories. Intriguing similarities to more "complex" brains in both structure and function suggest that at least some of the principles uncovered in the songbird brain may be of general applicability.